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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2010-04-26 MinutesMINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 -APRIL 26, 2010 WORK SESSION The City Council of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas met in work session on the 26th day of April 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Workroom prior to the 7:00 p.m. regular Council meeting. Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor Scott Turnage Mayor Pro Tem, Council, Place 6 John Lewis Council, Place 1 Ken Sapp Council, Place 2 (present at 6:2s p.m.) Tom Lombard Council, Place 3 Tim Barth Council, Place 4 Tim Welch Council, Place 7 Staff Members: Mark Hindman City Manager Jared Miller Assistant City Manager Jimmy Perdue Director of Public Safety Mike Curtis Managing Director Vickie Loftice Managing Director Patricia Hutson City Secretary Monica Solko Assistant City Secretary George Staples City Attorney Mary Peters Public Information Officer Elizabeth Reining Assistant to City Manager John Pitstick Director of Planning & Development Larry Koonce Finance Director Eric Wilhite Chief Planner Greg VanNieuwenhuize Assistant Public Works Director Chris Swartz NRH2O Park Manager Geoffrey Sherman Parks Landscape Horticulturalist Absent: David Whitson Council, Place 5 Call to Order Mayor Trevino called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. A.0 Discuss Items from Regular City Council Meeting There were no questions from Council. City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 2 A.1 IR 2010-029 Community Garden Project Vickie Loftice, Managing Director briefed Council on the possibility of starting a community garden in the City of North Richland Hills. Community gardens are places where neighbors can gather to cultivate plants, vegetables and fruits. Such gardens can improve nutrition, physical activity, community engagement, safety, and economic vitality for a neighborhood or city and its residents. By developing a community garden, the City would be promoting healthy eating and active living which supports the Mayor's Health and Fitness Initiative. Mayor Pro Tem Turnage also spoke on the benefits for having a community garden. Ms. Loftice introduced Geoffrey Sherman, Parks Landscape Horticulturalist, who presented a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of other community gardens in the area and briefed Council on the benefits and funding for the project. The City would provide the organizational structure, oversight of construction and coordination of volunteers for the Community Garden. Davis Memorial United Methodist Church has agreed to provide the land for up to 70 garden plots adjacent to the church on Davis Boulevard. Since funding is not available in this fiscal year, sponsorships and donations would need to be acquired. To fill in sponsorship gaps, a new project for the Community Garden has been included in the Proposed FY 2010/2011 Park Development Corporation Budget. Budget approval of this project will depend on available funding and the projects priority when compared to other submitted projects. After brief discussion and questions by the Council, the consensus was to move forward with the project and bring back to Council for approval. B.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION -The City Council may enter into closed Executive Session to discuss the following as authorized by Chapter 551 Texas Government Code B.1 Executive Session: Pursuant to Section 551.071 Texas Government Code for Consultation with Attorney regarding Pending Litigation - 1) Hometown Urban Partners, Ltd. vs. City of North Richland Hills (No 096-236530-09)• 2) Arcadia Land Partners 25 Ltd., et al vs. City of North Richland Hills (No 067-241297-09)' 3) Venue at Hometown vs. City of North Richland Hills et al (No 352-237213- Mayor Trevino announced at 5:55 p.m. that the Council would adjourn into Executive Session as authorized by Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, specifically Section 551.071 for consultation with attorney regarding pending litigation - 1) Hometown Urban Partners, Ltd. vs. City of North Richland Hills (No. 096-236530-09); 2) Arcadia Land Partners 25 Ltd., et al vs. City of North Richland Hills (No. 067-241297-09); 3) Venue at Hometown vs. City of North Richland Hills, et al (No. 352-237213-09). Mayor Pro Tem Turnage left at 6:50 p.m. C.0 Adjournment City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 3 Mayor Trevino announced at 6:54 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the regular Council meeting. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING A.0 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order April 26, 2010 at 7:01 p.m. and announced that the City of Hurst had challenged the City of North Richland Hills to have the most participants register for the Komen Foundation Race for the Cure. The City of North Richland Hills beat the City of Hurst with more participants and also received 3~d Place in community size to register for the race. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Mayor John Lewis Council, Place 1 Ken Sapp Council, Place 2 Tom Lombard Council, Place 3 Tim Barth Council, Place 4 Tim Welch Council, Place 7 Staff: Mark Hindman Jared Miller Jimmy Perdue Mike Curtis Vickie Loftice Patricia Hutson Monica Solko George Staples Absent: David Whitson Scott Turnage City Manager Assistant City Manager Director of Public Safety Managing Director Managing Director City Secretary Assistant City Secretary Attorney Council, Place 5 Mayor Pro Tem, Council, Place 6 A.1 INVOCATION Councilman Barth gave the invocation. City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 4 A.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Barth led the pledge of allegiance. A.3 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) - YARD OF THE MONTH WINNERS PRESENTED BY COUNCILMAN LEWIS Holly Bullington, Keep NRH Beautiful Commission Member and Councilman Lewis recognized the following yard of the month recipients for April: Isabell Martinez, 3517 Bewley St.; Duane Stubblefield, 7105 Briley Dr.; Cathy Tucker, 6308 Inverness; Barbara Lipper, 7553 Circle Dr.; Michael Sherrill, 8016 Ulster Dr.; David Vibbard, 7009 Goodnight Ranch Rd.; Frank Kossler, 8800 Thornway Dr.; Judy C. Young, 7813 Redwood Ct.; Jim & Barbara Tedesco, 7712 Silverleaf Drive. Don Pablo's, 5121 Rufe Snow Dr. was recognized as the April Business Landscape winner and Gwendolyn Weisell, 7505 Orchard Court was recognized as the April SmartScape winner. A.4 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) IR 2010-030 CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, introduced Mr. Fred Werner, Director of Finance, City of Grapevine and representing the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas. Mr. Fred Werner presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Financial Report to the City. The City has received the Certificate of Achievement Award for the last 26 years. Fourteen percent of the cities in the State of Texas and five percent of the cities in the United States received the award. A.5 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) IR 2010-028 STAR COMMUNITY INDEX PRESENTED BY COUNCILMAN BARTH City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 5 Councilman Barth briefed the City Council and the community on the STAR Community Index, which he has been helping to develop. The STAR Community Index (STAR) is a national, consensus-based framework for gauging the sustainability and livability of American communities. STAR was developed through a partnership between Local Governments for sustainability (ICLEI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Center for American Progress (CAP). STAR is being developed to be similar to the LEED guidelines for sustainability, but directed towards communities and not individual structures and projects. It is expected that STAR will become the definitive means by which local governments measure and certify their sustainability achievements. A.6 SPECIAL PRESENTATION(S) AND RECOGNITIONS) A LOOK THROUGH THE LENS -NORTH RICHLAND HILLS IN BLOOM Vickie Loftice, Managing Director presented a video highlighting pictures from the community. Each month, a one to two minute video will be shown during City Council after the Announcements section of the meeting. These monthly videos will highlight images of various places, parks, hidden natural treasures as well as recent events in the city. The photos and images will be provided by staff and our citizens. A.7 CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mayor Trevino called on each individually to come up to the podium. Russ Mitchell, 3917 Diamond Loch West Brian Crowson, 7816 Baywood Court Marvin Smith, 7600 Douglas Each spoke on the importance of the Crime Control District and the importance of voting in favor of keeping the Crime Control District in the upcoming election. A.8 REMOVAL OF ITEM(S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. B.0 APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 6 B.1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES APRIL 12, 2010 CITY COUNCIL MEETING B.2 PU 2010-010 AWARD BID 10-026 FOR NRH2O FOOD SERVICE PRODUCTS TO C.D. HARTNETT, TEXAS BEVERAGE, BEN E. KEITH, LA CREME COFFEE & TEA AND FLOWERS BAKING CO. COUNCILMAN SAPP MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. COUNCILMAN LOMBARD SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-O. PUBLIC HEARINGS C.0 No items for this category. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT D.0 No items for this category. PUBLIC WORKS E.0 No items for this category. GENERAL ITEMS F.1 GN 2010-021 PRESENTATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2009 AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT APPROVED Mr. Larry Koonce, Finance Director, presented the 2009 Fiscal Year Audited Financial Report advising of year-end results and fund balance data for the various funds. Mr. Terry Kyles from the independent audit firm of Deloitte and Touche presented the audit opinion and report. The auditor's opinion was an unqualified opinion or a "clean" opinion meaning that they found the Financial Statements of the City to fairly present the City's financial position. City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 7 COUNCILMAN LOMBARD MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2010-021 ACCEPTING THE 2009 FISCAL YEAR AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMAN LEWIS SECONDED THE MOTION.. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-O. F.2 GN 2010-024 APPOINTMENT TO TEEN COURT ADVISORY BOARD -PLACE 5 APPROVED Patricia Hutson, City Secretary, summarized the item. The Place 5 position on the Teen Court Advisory Board is currently vacant. Councilman Whitson is recommending the appointment of Ms. Nikki Novak to fill the vacancy with the term expiring June 30, 2011. COUNCILMAN WELCH MOVED TO APPOINT MS. NIKKI NOVAK TO PLACE 5 ON THE TEEN COURT ADVISORY BOARD, TERM EXPIRING .TUNE 3Q, 2011. COUNCILMAN EARTH SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION TO APPROVE CARRIED 5-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS G.1 ACTION ON ANY ITEM DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LISTED ON WORK SESSION AGENDA No action required. INFORMATION AND REPORTS H.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilman Lombard made the following announcements. Early voting for the May 8th election began today, April 26th, and continues through May 4th at the NRH Recreation Center. The position of Mayor and City Council Places 2, 4 and 6 will be on the ballot, along with a referendum on whether the Crime Control & Prevention District should be continued for 20 years. For more information about this election, visit the City's web site at www.nrhtx.com or call 817-427-6060. City Council Minutes April 26, 2010 Page 8 The Sounds of Spring Concert Series continues every Friday night through May 7th at NRH2O. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concerts begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Remember to bring blankets and lawn chairs. For more information, visit the City's web site or call 817-427-6600. The City of North Richland Hills is hosting four Energy Efficiency Workshops in May. Participants will learn simple techniques to make their home more energy efficient. Participants will also receive a free Energy Efficiency Tool Kit. To sign up and get more details, please call 817-427-6650. Kudos Korner -Geoffrey Sherman, Parks & Recreation Department. Several emails were received from residents who attended the Spring in the Garden Seminar. They thanked Geoffrey for presenting valuable information in a fun and relaxed way. They also thanked the entire team of employees who are responsible for continuously maintaining our beautiful city landscape day after day. H.2 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino adjourned the meeting at 7:49 ~u~~wuwuWU~ ~, yr '~' n zl r o~~ h y Patricia Hutson, City Secretary